At least 80% of femicide cases in Mexico involved alcohol, which is why it is essential to promote national campaigns to prevent the consumption of this substance, civil organizations said this Tuesday.
“Alcohol consumption is one of the causes of feminicide, that is why it is important to carry out prevention campaigns so that we understand what is happening and what measures can be taken to prevent,” Susana González, Public Positioning Coordinator of the Gendes organization.
The expert explained that, according to the Mexican Women’s Secretariat, based on its program to detect the risks of feminicide, which is the most exacerbated violence, “in more than 80% of the cases the aggressors were under the influence of alcohol.” ”.
Violence, an exercise of power
Martha Romero, researcher at the National Institute of Psychiatry, recalled that there are more than 40 types of violence, which is an exercise of power to “do or not do, cause or prevent something that is estimated to be beneficial or not” for the person who exercises it.
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The expert stated that there is sufficient evidence of the association between alcohol consumption and gender violence.
“Research findings indicate that alcohol acts as a proximal factor, in addition to distal factors such as relationship problems, in the perpetuation of gender-based violence,” he indicated.
Furthermore, she said that when women are victims, violence never ends and can cause premature death, as they live with anxiety, depression or disability.
“People are left with consequences that can last throughout their lives or even for generations,” he lamented.
Juan Antonio Sabines, spokesperson for the Alcohol Action Network, pointed out that studies in Mexico have shown that there is a significant correlation between excessive alcohol consumption in men and an increase in physical, emotional and sexual violence against their partners.
“It is well known that consuming alcohol does not mean that there will be violence; however, it is a risk factor that precipitates these acts in those people who have a tendency toward violent behavior,” he lamented.
They ask for policies against alcohol consumption
Sabines explained that one of the organizations’ main concerns is the lack of regulation and the high availability of alcoholic beverages in Mexico, where 40,000 people die every year from causes attributable to alcohol consumption.
“We want the general population to reflect on social issues, such as the consequences of alcohol consumption, since it is undoubtedly a factor of profound social decomposition,” he emphasized.
Given this, he said, they began a campaign to raise awareness among the population about the link between alcohol and violence “because it seems that it has become normalized.”
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“We want to make an urgent call to action. Specifically to the new Government of Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, because we require that due and concurrent attention be taken, because a national policy for alcohol control is necessary,” he expressed.
He said that the measures should focus on reducing the high availability of alcoholic beverages, as well as modifying the current excise tax system, in addition to strengthening restrictions on advertising.
With information from EFE
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